Self-propelling medicinal ointment composition containing polyethylene and method ofapplication



Unite States atet SELF-PROPELLING MEDICINAL OINTMENT COM- POSITIONCONTAINING POLYETHYLENE AND METHOD OF APPLICATION Theodore Heilig, LongBeach, N.Y., assignor to General Aerosol Corporation, New York, N.Y., acorporation of New York No Drawing. Filed No 16, 1959, Ser. No. 852,929

8 Claims. (Cl. 167-58) This invention relates to improvements inmedicinal ointment compositions and more particularly to suchcompositions including an ointment base of mineral oil containingdispersed polyethylene resin and a volatile propellant for dispensingand applying the medicinal ointment to the part of the body to betreated.

This application is a continuation-in-part of my pending applicationSerial No. 618,425, filed October 26, 1956, now abandoned, forSelf-Propelling Medicinal Ointment Composition Containing Polyethyleneand Method of Application.

Since the filing of the above application, certain patents have beengranted and proposals made with respect to the spraying of ointmentcompositions, but so far as known, such compositions have not provedentirely satisfactory for various reasons. It appears that the basesemployed provide an impervious seal over the affected area to which theyare applied and also tend to retain the medicant or release it only veryslowly to the affected area.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a selfpropelling fluidmedicinal ointment composition adapted to be atomized from a fluid-tightcontainer and which,

vhen applied directly as a fine spray or mist to the part of the body tobe treated, is of such a character as to provide a breathing covering ofpolyethylene filaments from which the medicant is rapidly released tothe treated area of the body.

A further object of the invention is to provide an aerosol medicinalointment composition including a polyethylene base and a highlyeffective medicant which is readily released from the base of thecomposition when sprayed onto an affected area of the body.

' The ointment base used in the medicinal ointment composition ispreferably a polyethylene-containing gel of the type sold by Squibbunder the trade name Plastibase, made in two forms; Squibb oleaginousointment base and Squibb absorbent ointment base. The first contains 95%liquid petrolatum U.S.P. and 5% polyethylene by weight. The second basecontains 88.16% liquid petrolatum U.S.P., 5.64% polyethylene, 6%emulsifying agent, 0.1% antioxidant and 0.1% preservative to preventmold growth after the addition of water. These percentages are byweight.

The method of making Squibb base is described in United States PatentNo. 2,628,187, granted February 10, 1953, and in the Journal of theAmerican Pharmaceutical Association, Scientific Edition, volume XLV, No.2, Febrisary 1956, pages 102 to 105, under the title Modern OintmentBase Technology.

The polyethylene ointment base is an ideal base because of its stabilityand its wide range of compatability with all commonly-prescribeddermatological and other drugs. The polyethylene base or bases aresmooth homogeneous, colorless, stainless and odorless materials which donot run at body temperatures. They impart a velvety, non-greasy feel tothe skin and are readily removable.

The polyethylene resin in the base is dispersed therein in the form ofsmall crystallites surrounded by long filaments of amorphous resin.These small crystallites are close enough to each other to allow thelong fibers or filaments to intermesh and produce a sponge-likestructure which retains the mienral oil, the medicament and the otheringredients. These properties of the polyethylene base employed in thecompositions of the present invention are greatly enhanced and otheradvantageous properties obtained when the base is incorporated as aningredient in an aerosol medicinal ointment composition and applied toan affected area of the body. When the aerosol ointment composition isatomized onto the affected area of the body, the polyethylene resinprovides a breathing film which permits access of air and oxygen to theaffected area of the body and facilitates the rapid release of themedicant to the affected area, thereby accelerating the healing ofinfections, burns and other wounds. The propelling of the ointment witha liquified gaseous propellant cooperates with the structuralcharacteristics of the polyethylene in such a way that the filaments ofthe polyethylene resin are interlaced in a loose dispersion over theaffected area of the body to provide a breathing covering permitting theaccess of air and oxygen and the rapid release of the medicant to theaffected area.

Ointments previously made containing the polyethylene base were appliedto affected areas by spreading but without achieving the outstandingresults which have been obtained by utilizing the polyethylene base andmedicant in an aerosol. One of the problems solved in the making of thepresent invention was that of incorporating the polyethylene base inliquified gaseous propellants so that it could be used as an aerosol andsprayed. Previous attempts to compound the polyethylene base with suchpropellants in order to produce a self-propelling composition, so far asknown, were not successful until the making of the present invention.

In general, the improved self-propelling fluid medicinal ointmentcomposition according to the invention comprises a medicament in aneffective proportion for the purpose, an ointment base and a volatilepropellant, the ointment base being composed of a mineral oil having adesired viscosity containing a dispersion of polyethylene having amolecular weight of at least 3,500, the polyethylene being present in anamount equal to approximately 0.25% to 50% of the combined weight of themineral oil and polyethylene. In this composition the volatilepropellant is a liquified compressed gas provided in sufficientproportion in the ointment composition to atomize it through the valveof the container in which it is stored under pressure, and to produce auniform porous coating of the polyethylene ointment base with themedicament dispersed therein.

The composition includes at least one primary medicant, for a particularpurpose or purposes, for example for healing burns, infections or forother specific purposes. The ointment composition advantageously alsoincludes other medicants, such as a pain-killing agent, an antibiotic,and a germicide in effective proportions for these particular purposes.The antibiotic may be the primary medicant.

The primary medicant included in the ointment composition according tothe invention preferably comprises an antiseptic, bactericidal orantibiotic medicant particularly useful in topical applications.Examples of such medican-ts are merthiolate, an antiseptic, tyrothricin,an antibiotic, thiomerosal, an antiseptic, neomycin, a powerfulbactericidal and antibiotic medicant, neomycin sulphate and activeneomycin salts of organic acids, particularly the caprylate, thepropionate and the undecylenate. These active organic salts of neomycin,in addition to being active like neomycin, also have a fungiciticaction. These active organic salts of neomycin are stable, adhere toskin lesions and will remain for days, therefore providing desirablecharacteristics useful for topical application. 'Ihe preferred medicantaccording to the invention is neomycin undecylenate, the physical andmedicinal characteristics of which provide many desirable and unusualfeatures useful for topical application. When neomycin undecylenate iscombined with the polyethylene ointment base in an aerosol composition,it has been found to be unusually effective for various topicalapplications, as described more in detail hereinafter.

Illustrative embodiments of self-propelling ointment compositionsaccording to the invention are given in the following examples in whichthe percentages are by Weight.

Example 1 Percent Merthiolate 0.001 Dichlorophene 0.100 Tyrothricin0.075

Oleaginous ointment base (including 2.5% benzocaine) 29.824 Inertvolatile propellant 70.000

This is a burn spray aerosol ointment in which the benzocaine isincluded as a pain-killing agent, merthiolate as an antiseptic,tyrothricin as an antibiotic and dichlorophene as a germicide. Thepercentages of these last three ingredients may differ somewhataccording to different prescriptions but they are present in aneffective, sufiicient quantity (q.s.) for the purpose.

The inert volatile propellant used was a mixture of one part by weightof dichlorodifluoromethane to nine parts by Weight ofdichlorotetrafluoroethane.

The burn spray composition of this example was made up by blending thefirst three ingredients and the benzocaine with the oleaginous ointmentbase at room temperature. The propellant was then introduced andincorporated into the base mixture by stirring at room temperature in apressure container. The resulting mixture was then filled into valvedaerosol dispenser containers by a known conventional procedure. Finally,the filled containers were tested in the usual manner in a hot waterbath at a temperature of about 130 F. After this test the dispensercontainers were cooled and were ready for use.

The oleaginous base and the medicaments in the selfpropelling fluidointment composition are all dispersed in solution or suspension in thepropellant at ordinary temperatures.

Example 2 Percent Thiomerosal 0.001 Dichlorophene 0.100 Tyrothricin0.015

Oleaginous ointment base (includes 2.5% benzocaine) 29.8 84 Inertvolatile propellant 70.000

The propellant used in this example was a mixture of nine parts ofdichlorodifluoromethane to one part by weight oftrichloromonofiuicromethane, the propellant being mixed with theointment base to provide a solution which was filled into the valveddispensing containers by a conventional filling procedure. The filleddispenser containers were shaken and tested in hot water in the samemanner as in Example 1.

Example 3 Percent Thiomerosal 0.001 Dichlorophene 0.100 Tyrothricin 0.015 Oleaginous ointment base (includes 2.5 benzocaine) 9.884 Inertvolatile propellant 90.000

The propellant gases used in this example were the same as those used inExample 1 and in the same ratio. The base ingredients and propellantwere mixed and filled into valved dispensers by a conventionalprocedure, and

Example 6 Percent Neomycin sulfate 0.010 Intracaine 0.225 Allantoin0.010 I-Iexachlorophene 0.020 Tyrothricin "a 0.001

Perfume a 0.001

Oleaginous ointment base 4.275 Inert volatile propellent 95.458

the filled containers were then tested in the manner described underExample 1.

Example 4 Percent Neomycin 0.0410 Allantoin 0.0250

Hexachlorophene 0.0375 Tyrothricin 0.0050 Benzocaine 1.5000 Oleaginousointment base 10.0000 Inert volatile propellant 883915 The volatilepropellant in this instance consisted of the same materials used inExample 1, i.e. Freon 12 and Freon 114, but in equal parts by weight.

Neomycin was used for its powerful bactericidal and antibiotic action,allantoin to promote skin granulation in burns and similar wounds, andhexachlorophene as a germieide.

Example 5 Percent Neomycin 0.0250 Intracaine 0.2000 Allantoin 0.0250Hexachlorophene 0.0375 Tyrothricin 0.0200 Perfume 0.0250 Oleaginousointment base 9.8000 Inert volatile propellant 89.8675

The volatile propellant in this example was the same as that used inExample 4. Intracaine was included in the above composition as ananesthetic providing less sensitization to the skin than any othertopical anesthetic available to the public.

The liquefied gaseous propellant of this composition and those used insucceeding examples consisted of Freon 22, CHClF amounting to 10% of thecomposition, and Freon 114 (CCIF2)2, making up the remainder of thepropellant for the composition. While both are propellants the former isparticularly effective as a solvent for the base and medicants and whenapplied does not cause stinging. The latter also acts as a solvent butprimarily as a diluent and propellant.

Oleaginous ointment base 4.50000 Inert volatile propellant:

Freon 22 10.00000 Freon 114 85.21890 The compositions of Examples 7 and8 illustrate the preferred compositions according to the invention andhave given unusual results in practice. Other compositions containingthe same ingredients were prepared in which the proportions ofpolyethylene ointment base, the neomycin undecylenate and the othermedicants were progressively reduced and increased from those of Example8. In this series of (fourteen) compositions, including Example 8, therange of the polyethylene base was from 2 to 8.5% and that of neomycinundecylenate from 0.00468 to 0.0l989%. The content of Freon 22 was thesame in all compositions of the series while that of Freon 114 variedfrom 87.87514, with the 2% polyethylene base, to 80.96902% with the 8.5%polyethylene base.

The aerosol compositions of all of the examples have been usedeffectively in the treatment of burns and other wounds. For example, theaerosol composition of Example 6 was used in the treatment of 210 casesof burns varying from first degree burns to third degree body burnsinvolving almost one half of the body. The spray was applied to theaffected burn areas at 3 to 4 hour intervals. The anesthesia wasexcellent and the acceptance by children was very good. The results wereexcellent in this group of cases and were superior to any other knownmethod of surface treatment of burns. Epithelialization was good andhealing excellent. The pain was minimized and patients with severe burnswere ambulated early with burned areas left open and easily inspected.

The aerosol composition of Example 6 was used in the treatment of 157lesions involving the skin of the face, elbows, sacrum, buttocks, kneesand ankles. The spray was applied twice a day with excellent results;epithelialization and healing were good; the wounds were healed withgood cosmetic results and debris and necrotic areas cleared up rapidly.

In 20 cases of dermatitis the spray provided rapid relief from itchingand burning and permitted healing of the excoriated area. Ten cases ofdiaper rash, 10 cases of prickly heat, miliaria responded rapidly. In nocases in this entire series was any skin reaction to the medication inthe spray noted.

In 17 cases of fistula, ilestomy or colostomy, the spray was used tocoat the skin to prevent excoriation by the digestive fluids. Theresults in these cases were excellent.

No failure in therapy was found in the foregoing cases. In almostone-half of the cases the spray was used after failure by standardpastes or ointments. The for-muation provided a superior method for thetreatment of lesions of the skin where the continuity of the skin isdisturbed.

Unusual and unexpected results were obtained with a first-aid aerosolspray containing neomycin undecylenate, the base containing thepolyethylene and the other ingredients referred to in Example 7, in thetreatment of burns and other conditions. Neomycin undecylenate has beenfound to adhere to skin lesions and remain for days, as a stable healingmedicant which is a great advan tage. In the use of the aerosol firstaid spray, it was applied to the affected moist skin surface, therebyproviding effective contact between the skin lesion and the medication.The base remained in an emulsion liquid state and avoids a barrierbetween the lesion and the medication. Furthermore, the base allowed thepassage of gases, vapor and serum so that the lesion could breath. Theaerosol undecylenate medication was applied to both ambulatory andhospital patients by spraying on four times a day. The spray was used on257 cases of burns, bruises, decubitus ulcers and varicose ulcers. Itwas also used in cases of ordinary ringworm. The results were excellent.Cases with long standing dermatitis showed marked relief of itching andsubsistence of secondary infection. The tyrothricin and hex-achlorophenewere included in the composition to consolidate anti-bacterial activity,the intracaine provided anesthesia for the burns and the allantoin wasincluded to remove necrotic material that hinders healing.

The aerosol spray containing neomycin undecylenate according to Examples7 and 8 was also used in the treatment of a large number of skin lesionsof mixed bacterial and fungal infections with excellent results. In manyof these cases there has been no response to neomycin sulfate orundecylenic acid alone. The virtue of the neomycin undecylenate wasdemonstrated in an outstanding way in the treatment of decubitus ulcers,varicose ulcers, severe dermaphytosis and infected lesions, in which thetreatment gave excellent results.

The first-aid spray having the composition shown in Example 7 was usedin 200 cases of severe athletes foot after they had already provedrefractory to potassium permanganate baths and various fungistaticagents on the market. The results in these 200 cases treated with thefirst-aid spray were superior to those obtained by any previous methodof control.

The neomycin undecylenate is the neomycin salt of undecylenic acid.While this acid has been used as a 5% ointment in the treatment offungus infections, its combination with neomycin gave unexpected resultsas noted above. The acid is a vile smelling compound having an odorsuggestive of perspiration while the neomycin undecylenate is completelyodorless.

Several advantages resulting from the application of the aerosol mixturein the foregoing cases were noted:

(1) The continuing contact of the medication with the healing surface.It was noted that the base remains semifluid and the medications are insuspension. The contact of the medications with the wound iscontinuously changing.

The fact that the base remains a gel of polyethylene in oil and does notchange viscosity promotes the removal of foreign material such as gravelcloth or dead tissue and the organic elements are acted uponcontinuously by the allantoin. This produces excellent cosmeticresults-less staining and fewer granules of gravel or foreign materialin the excoriated area as it heals.

(2) The continued gel characteristics of the menstruum avoids removingearly epithelial buds and islands as it happens when bandages areapplied or heavy-based ointments are applied. This permits healing whilethe foreign material is being removed. The two processes can go onsimultaneously.

(3) The film created by the gel of polyethylene breathes and ispermeable. It has been shown that the formulation of the gel in biginterlocking fibers of polyethylene permits the passage of fluids andvapors through it. This prevents collections of serum underneath whichwould provide a culture for bacterial and fungal growths. This is ofparticular value in the treatment of burns.

(4) Visibility of the wound is maintained throughout. The open method oftherapy presents many advantages. Mobility resulting from the constantmotion of the extremity, the freedom from pain and the avoidance ofocclusive dressings which permit the collections of pus below scales andprevent rigid or contractile scars. The functional and cosmetic resultis excellent as a result of this property. This makes the spray anexcellent modality for use in cleaning up open areas for subsequent skingrafting. In addition the removal of secretions reduces scar or scabformation to a minimum.

The superior breathing characteristics of the aerosol sprayed ointmentcomposition containing polyethylene was apparent from the medical testreferred to above, but was also demonstrated in comparative tests. Thosetests were conducted by providing test tubes containing water. The waterin the test tubes was boiled to expel oxygen and an indicator, sodiumresazurin was placed in the water in each test tube to indicate theoxygen transmitted to the water. The indicator was added to the water inthe test tube before the oxygen was expelled, and each solution wascolorless or a very light blue. This indicator turns a distinct pinkwhen oxygen enters the water. The materials to be tested, including, forexample, the aerosol ointment composition of Example 6 were sprayed ontothe Water layer. Other ointment compositions were also sprayed orotherwise applied to the surface of the water layer in separate testtubes and observations were made at regular intervals to determine therelative rate of oxygen transfer as evidenced by the color change in theindicator in the water layer of the test tubes. The color would appearfirst at the top of the water layer or interfaced with the particularointment and fuse downwardly at a rate depending on the oxygentransferred through the particular ointment composition.

The relative rates of oxygen transfer in the comparative tests were inthe following order:

(1) Control tube with no upper layer.

(2) Aerosol sprayed ointment base containing polyethylene.

(3) Aerosol sprayed isopropyl myristate base ointment.

(4) Aerosol sprayed Carbowax base ointment.

(5) Aerosol sprayed cetyl alcohol base ointment.

(6) Aerosol sprayed Vaspar (a mixture of Vaseline and paraffin used tomaintain anaerobic conditions in bacterial cultures), no oxygentransfer.

The tests showed that the oxygen transfer through aerosol sprayedPlastibase ointment is definitely faster than the transfer through theother tested bases and is a characteristic not found in such otherbases.

A further comparative test was made between aerosol sprayed ointmentcontaining the polyethylene base and the same ointment when spreadmechanically in a layer. This comparative test showed that the oxygentransfer by the aerosol sprayed ointment base was definitely faster thanthe oxygen transfer through the same ointment when spread mechanicallyin a layer.

Comparative medicant release rate tests according to standard diffusionand ingestion procedures were carried out between the aerosolcomposition of Example 6 and the same composition in which thepolyethylene base was replaced by a Carbowax base. The results by thetwo different standard procedures showed that after 60 minutes 3 to 4times as much intracaine was released from the sprayed compositioncontaining the polyethylene base as that released from the sprayedcomposition containing the Carbowax base. The release of intracaine asdetermined in the tests is representative of medicant release and therelease from the sprayed polyethylene base composition was 3 to 4 timesas fast that that from the sprayed similar composition containing theCanbowax base.-

The percentage of the polyethylene-containing oleaginous base in thecomposition is preferably approximately that given in Examples 7 and 8.From about 2% to 10% by weight is the preferred range of base content,from the standpoint of average use and economy. Higher contents up to30% base may be used for severe burns with a minimum amount of spraying,but compositions containing 8.5% or 10% base are satisfactory for severeburns. The compositions including the medicant neomycin undecylenate arepreferred as exemplified by Examples 7 and 8. They spray well and havebeen successfully used in mild and severe cases, as outlined above, withunexpectedly good results.

The presence of the polyethylene resin in the base provides a breathingfilm which permits access of air and oxygen to facilitate the healing ofburns and other wounds. The polyethylene and propellant in thecomposition cooperate in such a way that the polyethylene filaments areinterlaced in a loose dispersion over any burned or affected area whensprayed by the propellant. A much more porous and spongy structure isproduced as a result of the propellant gas leaving the sprayed panticles of the base, which occurs almost instantly.

Where the medicament to be included in the ointment composition ispresent in aqueous or alcoholic solutions, the polyethylene base shouldinclude ingredients to make it absorbent, as pointed out above. One ofthese ingredients is an emulsifying agent which should approximate 6% byweight of the base. This emulsifying agent may be glyceryl mono-oleateor its equivalent.

The gaseous propellants used in the composition are inert and vaporizealmost instantly as the spray leaves the distributor valve of thedispenser. The propellants, as in the foregoing examples, comprise acomponent of low vapor pressure in which the medicants and base materialmay be dissolved, dispersed or suspended and a gaseous component ofrelatively higher vapor pressure functioning primarily to effect thespraying of the mixture, although it may also act as a solvent. Thechlorine and fluorine substituted hydrocarbons of lower pressure as usedin the foregoing examples are suitable for that purpose, while the othercomponent of the propellant may comprise one or more of the followingchlorine and fluorine substituted hydrocarbons:

Dichlorodifluoromethane Trichlorotrifluoroethane Monochlorodifiuoromethene Other chlorine and fluorine substitutedhydrocarbons may be used, as well as propane, butane, pentane and theirisomers, carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide. One or more of these gasesmay be used together, preferably in combination with a relativelylow-pressure gaseous component, such as dichlorotetrafiuoroethane ortrichloromonofluoromethane, to give a vapor pressure of from 5 to lbs.per square inch gauge. Any propellant mixture, however, must be inertand non-explosive. Furthermore, the propellant gases should be selectedor mixed to provide for a minimum of skin irritation. The preferredcombination of propellants from this standpoint and for disolving andspraying the components of the compositions are those used in Examples6, 7 and 8.

While the mineral oil of the ointment base material is preferablypetrolatum, it may be a heavy mineral oil having a Saybolt Universalviscosity at 38 C. of 'from 300 to 350 sec. The polyethylene used in thebase mixture may have a molecular weight of from 3,500 to 25,000, butthe preferred range for the molecular weight of the polyethylene is from18,000 to 21,000.

In making up the propellant compositions for packaging or duringpackaging where the ointment base material comprises 10% or more of thecomposition, this is preferably premixed with one of the low pressureliquefied propellent gases which acts as a solvent, to form a solutionor suspension, after which the higher pressure lique fied propellant gasis incorporated in the mixture. The ointment composition preferablycomprises at least about 70% of propellant.

In general where the ointment composition is packed in glass or plasticbottles, the proportion of lower vapor pressure propellant is greaterthan the proportion of higher pressure propellent gas. For example, ifthe composition is comprised of 10% by weight of the ointment base andmedicant ingredients, it may advantageously comprise 9% by weight of thepropellant of higher vapor pressure, such as dichlorodifluoromethane and81% by weight of the relatively low vapor pressure gas.

Where the ointment composition is packaged in metal containers, theproportions of the two gases may be reversed. For example, aself-propelling composition containing 10% by weight of the ointmentbase and medicant ingredients may comprise 81% by weight of theliquefied propellent gas of high vapor pressure, such asdichlorodifluoromethane, and 9% by weight of the relativelylow vaporpressure liquefied gas.

The use of a mixture of relatively low pressure and relatively highpressure propellent gases for the ointment composition permits thecompounding of a propellent mixture which may be safely packed in glasscontainers andcifectively sprayed therefrom, or which may be packed inmetal containers at much higher pressures. Furthermore, the mixture ofpropellent gases permits the application of the correct amount ofointment in a manner such that the effective ingredients of the ointmentare held on the aflected area of the skin by a lattice of polyethylenefilaments which are loosely interlaced over each other as they arepropelled onto the afiected area by the propellant, thereby providing abreathing film which permits access of air to and accelerates therelease of the medicant to the affected area.

I claim:

1. In a self-propelling fluid medicinal ointment composition for thetreatment of body surface burns and other wounds, the composition beingcontained in and adapted to be atomized from a fluid-tight valvedcontainer directly onto the bums or other wounds, said medicinalointment composition including a medicament, an ointment base and aninert liquified compressed gaseous propellant, the improvement in whichthe medicinal ointment composition comprises approximately 0.1% byweight of the medicament, from approximately 10% to approximately 30% byweight of the ointment base and the propellant constituting essentiallythe remainder of the composition and in which the medicament andointment base are dispersed, said ointment base being composed of aheavy mineral oil containing polyethylene dispersed therein in the formof small crystallites surrounded by long filaments of amorphouspolyethylene resin, said polyethylene having a molecular weight of atleast 3,500 and comprising from approximately 0.25% to approximately 50%by weight of the ointment base, said medicinal ointment composition whensprayed from the container onto a burned or wounded area of the bodysurface by the propellant having the property of producing a non-runningcoating of the ointment base containing the medicament dispersedtherein, said polyethylene content of the ointment base being depositedby the propellant in a loose dispersion of interlaced filaments forminga lattice of polyethylene filaments having a porous spongy structureholding the medicament on the burned or wounded area of the skin andpermitting access of air and oxygen to the burned or wounded area of theskin, whereby healing of the burn or other wound is facilitated.

2. In a self-propelling fluid medicinal ointment composition for thetreatment of body surface burns and other wounds, the composition beingcontained in and adapted to be atomized from a fluid-tight valvedcontainer directly onto the burns or other wounds, said medicinalointment composition including a medicament, an ointment base and aninert liquified compressed gaseous propellant, the improvement in whichthe medicinal ointment composition comprises a minor but suflicient proprtion of the medicament, from approximately 10% to approximately 90% byweight of the ointment base and the propellant constituting essentiallythe remainder of the composition and in which the medicament andointment base are dispersed, said ointment base being composed of aheavy mineral oil containing polyethylene dispersed therein in the formof small crystallites surrounded by long filaments of amorphouspolyethylene resin, said polyethylene having a molecular weight of from3,500 to 25,000 and comprising approximately 5% by weight of theointment base, said medicinal ointment composition when sprayed from thecontainer onto a burned or wounded area of the body surface by thepropellant having the property of producing a non-running porous coatingof the ointment base containing the medicament dispersed therein, saidsprayed propellant depositing the polyethylene content of the ointmentbase in a loose dispersion of interlaced filaments having a 10 spongystructure holding the medicament on the burned or wounded area of theskin and forming a lattice of polyethylene filaments, whereby healingthe burn or other wound is facilitated.

3. In the method of treating a burned or wounded area of the human bodysurface in which a composition comprising a medicament, an ointment baseand a volatile propellant and contained in a fluid-tight valvedcontainer is atomized directly onto the burned or wounded area, theimprovement comprising the steps of providing a medicinal ointmentcomposition including a minor but sufficient proportion of a medicamentfor promoting the healing of the burned or wounded area, fromapproximately 10% to approximately by weight of an ointment 'base and aninert liquified compressed gaseous propellant constituting essentiallythe remainder of the composition and in which the ointment base iscomposed of a heavy mineral oil containing polyethylene dispersedtherein in the form of small crystallites surrounded by long filamentsof amorphous polyethylene resin, said polyethylene having a molecularweight of from 3,500 to 25,000 and comprising approximately 5% by weightof the ointment base, spraying the medicinal ointment compositioncontaining the polyethylene directly onto the burned or wounded area,the propellant and the polyethylene content of the ointment basecooperating to provide on the burned or wounded area a non-runningporous coating of the ointment base containing the medicament dispersedtherein, the propellant in being re leased from the container depositingthe polyethylene content of the ointment base in a loose dispersion ofinterlaced filaments having a porous spongy structure holding themedicament on .the burned or wounded area and forming a lattice ofpolyethylene filaments as a breathing film permitting access of air andoxygen to the burned or wounded area, whereby healing of the burn orwound is facilitated.

4. In a self-propelling fluid medicinal ointment composition for thetreatment of body surface infections, burns and other wounds, thecomposition being contained in and adapted to be atomized from afluid-tight valved container directly onto the burns or other wounds,said medicinal ointment composition including a medicament, an ointmentbase and an inert liquefied compressed gaseous propellant, theimprovement in which the medicinal ointment composition comprises fromapproximately 0.01 to 0.02% by weight of neomycin undecylenate as themedicament, from approximately 2% to approximately 10% by weight of theointment base and a volatile propellant constituting essentially theremainder of the compositon and in which the medicament and ointmentbaseare dispersed, said ointment base being composed of a heavy mineraloil containing polyethylene dispersed therein in the form of smallcrystallites surrounded by long filaments of amorphous polyethyleneresin, said polyethylene having a molecular weight of at least 3,500 andcomprising from approximately 5.0% to approximately 50% by weight of theointment base, said medicinal ointment composition when sprayed from thecontainer onto an afiected area of the body surface by the propellanthaving the property of producing a non-running coating of the ointmentbase containing the neomycin undecylenate dispersed therein, saidpolyethylene content of the ointment base being deposited by thepropellant in a loose dispersion of interlaced filaments forming alattice of polyethylene filaments having a porous spongy structureholding the neomycin undecylenate on the affected area of the skin andpermitting its rapid release to and the access of air and oxygen to theaffected area of the skin, whereby healing of the infection, burn orother wound is facilitated.

5. The ointment composition as claimed in claim 4, in which thepropellant comprises monochlorodifluoromethane to the extent ofapproximately 10% of the composition, the remainder of the propellantbeing dichlorotetrofluoroethane.

- 6. A self-propelling fluid medicinal ointment composition for thetreatment of body surface infections, burns and other wounds, thecomposition being contained in and adapted to be atomized from afluid-tight valved container directly onto the burns or other wounds,said medicinal ointment composition comprising essentially the followingingredients in percent by weight:

Neomycin undecylenate 0.010 Intracaine 0.225 Allantoin 0.010Hexachlorophene 0.020 Tyrothricin 0.001 Perfume oil 0.001 Oleaginousointment base 4.500

An inert liquefied compressed gaseous propellant 96.233

the oleaginous ointment base being composed of a heavy mineral oilcontaining polyethylene dispersed therein in the form of smallcrystallites surrounded by long filaments of amorphous polyethyleneresin, said polyethylene have a molecular weight of at least 3,500 andcomprising from approximately 5.0% to approximately 50% by weight of theointment base, said medicinal ointment composition when sprayed from thecontainer onto an aifected area of the body surface by the propellanthaving the property of producing a non-running coating of the ointmentbase containing the medicaments dispersed therein, said polyethylenecontent of the ointment base being deposited by the propellant in aloose dispersion of interlaced filaments forming a lattice ofpolyethylene filaments having a porous spongy structure holding themedicaments on the afiected area of the skin and permitting access ofair and oxygen to the affected area of the skin, whereby healing of theinfection, burn or other wound is facilitated.

7. The ointment composition as claimed in claim 6, in which the volatilepropellant comprises monochlorodifluoromethane to the extent of about ofthe composition, the remainder of the propellant beingdichlorotetrafluoroethane.

8. In the method of treating a fungus infected, burned or wounded areaof the human body surface in which a composition comprising amedicament, an ointment base and an inert liquified compressed gaseouspropellent and contained in a fluid-tight valved container is atomizeddirectly onto the infected, burned or wounded area, the improvementcomprising the steps of providing a medicinal ointment compositionincluding a minor but sulficient proportion of neomycin undecylenate asa medicament for promoting the healing of the infected, burned orwounded area, from approximately 2% to approximately 10% by weight of anointment base and the propellant constituting essentially the remainderof the composition and in which the ointment base is composed of a heavymineral oil containing polyethylene dispersed therein in the form ofsmall crystallites surrounded by long filaments of amorphouspolyethylene resin, said polyethylene having a molecular weight of from3,500 to 25,000 and com; prising from approximately 5% to 25% by Weightof the ointment base, spraying the medicinal ointment compositioncontaining the polyethylene directly onto the infected, burned orwounded area, the propellant and the polyethylene content of theointment base cooperating to provide on the infected, burned or woundedarea a non-running porous coating of the ointment base containing theneomycin undecylenate dispersed therein, the propellant in beingreleased from the container depositing the polyethylene content of theointment base in a loose dispersion of interlaced filaments having aporous spongy structure holding the neomycin undecylenate on theinfected, burned or wounded area and forming as a breathing film alattice of polyethylene filaments permitting rapid release of theneomycin undecylenate and access of air and oxygen to the infected,burned or wounded area, whereby healing is facilitated.

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1. IN A SELF-PROPELLING FLUID MEDICINAL OINTMENT COMPOSITION FOR THETREATMENT OF BODY SURFACE BURNS AND OTHER WOUNDS, THE COMPOSITION BEINGCONTAINED IN AND ADAPTED TO BE ATOMIZED FROM A FLUID-TIGHT VALVEDCONTAINER DIRECTLY ONTO THE BURNS OR OTHER WOUNDS, SAID MEDICINALOINTMENT COMPOSITION INCLUDING A MEDICAMENT AN OINTMENT BASE AND ANINERT LIQUIFIED COMPRESSED GASEOUS PROPELLANT, THE IMPROVEMENT IN WHICHTHE MEDICINAL OINTMENT COMPOSITION COMPRISES APPROXIMATELY 0.1% BYWEIGHT OF THE MEDICAMENT, FROM APPROXIMATELY 10% TO APPROXIMATELY 30% BYWEIGHT OF THE OINTMENT BASE AND THE PROPELLENT CONSTITUTING ESSENTIALLYTHE REMAINDER OF THE COMPOSITION AND IN WHICH THE MEDICAMENT ANDOINTMENT BASE ARE DISPERSED, SAID OINTMENT BASE BEING COMPOSED OF AHEAVY MINERAL OIL CONTAINING POLYETHYLENE DISPERSED THEREIN IN THE FORMOF SMALL CRYSTALLITES SURROUNDED BY LONG FILAMENTS OF aMORPHOUSPOLYETHYLENE RESIN, SAID POLYETHYLENE HAVING A MOLECULAR WEIGHT OF ATLEAST 3,500 AND COMPRISING FROM APPROXIMATELY 0.25% TO APPROXIMATELY 50%BY WEIGHT OF THE OINTMENT BASE, SAID MEDICINAL OINTMENT COMPOSITION WHENSPRAYED FROM THE CONTAINER ONTO A BURNED OR WOUNDED AREA OF THE BODYSURFACE BY THE PROPELLANT HAVING THE PROPERTY OF PRODUCING A NON-RUNNINGCOATING OF THE OINTMENT BASE CONTAINING THE MEDICINAL DISPERSED THEREINSAID POLYETHYLENE CONTENT OF THE OINTMENT BASE BEING DEPOSITED BY THEPROPELLANT IN A LOOSE DISPERSION OF INTERLACED FILAMENTS FORMING ALATTICE OF POLYETHYLENE FILAMENTS HAVING A POROUS SPONGY STRUCTUREHOLDING THE MEDICINAMENT ON THE BURNED OR WOUNDED AREA OF THE SKIN ANDPERMITTING ACCESS OF AIR AND OXYGEN TO THE BURNED OR WOUNDED AREA OF THESKIN, WHEREBY HEALING OF THE BURNED OR OTHER WOUND IS FACILITATED.